Sir Stuart Peach Elected as Chairman of NATO Military Committee
According to a NATO statement released Saturday, the Allied Chiefs of Defence have elected Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chief of Defence Staff of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces, as their next Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
General Petr Pavel, current Chairman of the Military Committee announced the result of the election by stating, “I welcome the election of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chief of Defence Staff of the United Kingdoms.” He will assume office in the summer of 2018.
Speaking on his election, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, said it is a huge honour to have been chosen to be the next Chairman of the Military Committee, one of the most important positions in NATO, central to European security.
The Chairman is the senior military advisor to the Secretary General and North Atlantic Council. He represents their consensus-based views to the Secretary General, the North Atlantic Council and other NATO organizations. He guides the Military Committee.
The position of Chairman of the Military Committee is normally held for a period of three years, but may be extended, upon request of the Chiefs of Defence and on the agreement of the Nation providing the Chairman.
The year before the Chairmanship position is due to end, Nations are informed that the position will become open and of the deadline as to when Nations are to put forward their candidate. It is not obligatory for Nations to put forward a candidate. The Chiefs of Defence in a close hold meeting will then elect their next Chairman from the candidates put forward.
The Military Committee (MC) has existed since 1949, but the format has evolved. From 1949 to 1963, the MC met in the Chiefs-of-Staff Session; from 1958 to 1961 in Permanent Session; since 1963, the MC meets twice a year at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, at the level of Chiefs of Defence, and once a year in an Allied member country.
The position of Chairman of the Military Committee has been held so far by 18 officers (counting from 1963) from the following Nations: Germany (five times); the United Kingdom (three times); Canada, Italy and Norway (twice); Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark and the Netherlands (once).
Courtesy: NATO
